Power-transmission mechanism.



J. O. MIOHAUD.

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 20,1909.

Patented Dec.27, 1910.

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J 0 MIOHAUD POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910. a 8HBET8BHBET 2.

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J. 0. MICHAUD.

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20, 1909.

JQSEPH O. MICHAUD, 0F FORT KENT, MAINE.

POWER-TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2?, 1910.

Application filed August 20, 1909. Serial No. 513,829.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr O. MronAUn, citizen of the United States,residing at Fort Kent, in the county of Aroostook and State of Maine,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power-TransmissionMechanism of which the following is*a specification.

This invention relates to gearing and refers particularly to a noveltransmission mechanism adaptable to a motor vehicle for distributingpower from a motor to wheels which are connected to the same.

The invention has for an object the pro vision of a novel transmissionmechanism for distributing the power of the motor to the two rear wheelsof a motor vehicle independently of one another and of a peculiararrangement of the transmission mechanism whereby the balance ordifferential gear is not required.

The invention has for a still further object the peculiar arrangement ofthe elements of the transmission mechanism whereby the same is under thecomplete control of the operator independent of the steering mechanismand whereby a reverse movement of the car may be had, the same beingeffected by simply reversing the gears upon the rear axles when thevarious speeds obtained through the transmission mechanism may bebrought into operation.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, andalso to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, and themeans for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top planview of the chassis of a motor vehicle disclosing the improvedtransmission mechanism and relative parts thereof applied to the same. Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the transmission casing disclosingthe operating shafts and levers connected to the same. Fig. 3 is adetail sectional view of one of the guides disclosing the slidablejournal bearing mounted in the same. Fig. 4 is a horizon tal sectionthrough the transmission casing disclosing the speed changing devicesmounted therein. F 5 is a vertical section taken intermediately throughthe trans mission casing disclosing the cooperating drums located in thesame. Fig. 6 a ver tical transverse section in the rear axle housingdisclosing the means for reversing the direction of the rear axles. Fig.7 is a transverse section of the lower end of the steering post andconnections therewith; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same, afragmentary view of the steering post being disclosed. Fig. 8 is amodification of the cooperating drums disclosing a clutch as applied tothe same. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the hand lever and segment employedin connection with the improved transmission mechanism.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and inclicated in all the views of the accompanying drawingsby the same reference characters.

In the drawings in which is disclosed an embodiment of the invention asapplied to a motor vehicle, the numerals 10 and 11 des-- ignate the sidebeams of the frame which are provided with the transverse beams 12, 13,14, and 15 which are respectively positioned in spaced relationthroughout the lengths of the side beams 10 and 11. Transverse beams 13and 14 are employed not only for the purpose of bracing the side beams10 and 11 but also to serve the purpose of supporting the motor 16 andthe improved transmission mechanism employed.

The motor 16 is mounted in the forward end of the frame and is providedwith a rearwardly extending drive-shaft 17 which projects into thetransmission casing 18 in the opposite walls of which the same isjournaled. Upon the shaft 17 and within the casing 18 a plurality ofdisks 19 are mounted which vary in diameter in order to engage withpluralities of disks 20 and 21 carried upon jack-shafts 22 and 23journaled in the casing 18 parallel with the drive or power sl aft 17'.The disks 20 and 21, like the disks 19 are secured together in anysuitable manner so as to move uniformly, the same being preferablyformed of metallic drums which are ground to provide the several partsvarying in diameter to correspond to the various speeds desired. Thedisks 20 and 21 are keyed upon the jack-shafts 22 and 23 to permitlongitudinal movement of the same but to rotate rigidly therewith so asto dispose the several disks in relation with the disks 19 to change thegear ratios between the drive shaft 17 and the jackshafts 22 and 23. Inthe present instance the disks are so formed as to obtain five ratios ofthe speed of the jack-shafts 22 and 23 relative to the drive shaft 17,the ratios at diametrically opposite points upon the 22 and 23 aremounted upon journal bearcasing 18.

tion of the bell-crank levers 38.

"of the frame and is pivotally carried upon being indicated by theletters a, b, 0, (Z, and e 1 upon the disks 19, 20 and 21. For instance,one speed is obtained when the disks (4 of the shafts 17, 22 and 23 arebrought into engagement with one another and the second t speed isobtained when all of the disks Z) are brought into engagement with oneanother. The remaining speeds are likewise obtained by sliding the disks20 and 21 along the jackshafts 22 and 23 and bringing into alinement thedisks 0, (Z, and 6 respectively.

The drums or disks 20 and 21 are for ied with loose collars 24 and 25which permit of the rotation of the drums 20 and 21 but which aresecured to the same in such manner as to cause the longitudinal movementof the drums 20 and 21 under the action of the collars 24 and 25. Forthe purpose of moving the collars 24 and 25 slide rods 26 are employedwhich project through the front wall of the casing 18 and carry upontheir inner ends, forks 27 which are engaged collars 24 and 25 and areemployed for actuating the same. The mechanism for reciprocating theslide rods 26 includes a bar 28 which is transversely disposed acrossthe frame of the vehicle forwardly of the casing 18 and which carries inspaced relation, forwardly and upwardly extended arms 29 which areloosely connected to the slide rods 26 and which operate the same by therotation of the bar 28. One extremity of the bar 28 extends outwardly ofthe side beam 10 of the frame and is rigidly connected to an upwardlyextending hand lever 30 which is locked in adjusted position through themedium of a pawl 31 carried upon the lever which intermeshes with asegment 32 mounted upon the side beam 10 in concentric relation to thebar 28. By this mechanism it is seen that the drums 20 and 21 may belocked in adjusted position in order to secure the relative disks inalinement to obtain the speed desired.

For the purpose of disengaging the drums 20 and 21 from the drum 19 thejack-shafts ings 33 which are provided with depending T-heads 34slidably mounted in transverse guides 35 mounted upon the transversebeams 14 and 15 at the opposite sides of the V The T-heads 34 areprovided with depending projections 36 which extend downwardly throughthe beams 14 and 15 and are pivotally connected upon links 37 which arecarried at the intermediate por- The bellcrank levers 38 are sopositioned that one arm of each of the same is disposed in parallel withthe transverse beams 14 and 15 while the opposite arm extends forwardlyforwardly projected lugs 39 extended from the beams 14 and 15. Thejournal bearings 33 are thus disposed in pairs at the opposite sides ofthe transmission casing 18 and in longitudinal alinement, one beingengaged about each end of the jack-shafts 22 and 23 through the mediumof which the shafts are alternately brought into engagement with andreciprocated from the main drive shaft 17. Reach-rods 39 and 40 areemployed which are secured to the inwardly extending arms of thebell-crank levers 38, and are thereby separately connected to thejack-shafts. The reach rods 39 and 40 are yieldably held in a backwardposition by retractile springs 15"-. The springs 15 are secured to therods 39 and 40 at points spaced forwardly from their rear extremities,and converge backwardly where their rear ends are secured to the centralportion of the cross brace 15. The forward ends of. the reach-rods 39and 40 are connected through the medium of links 41 to coiled springs 42which are carried upon the outer extremities of arms 43 mounted upon arod 44 adapted to be rotated through the medium of a foot pedal 45connected to the same and positioned upon the frame of the vehicle adjacent the operators seat.

The means which is employed in connection with this transmissionmechanism for automatically throwing the drums 20 and 21 alternately outof engagement with the drums 19 in order to permit of the turning of thevehicle comprises a pulley 46 having a cam 47 formed in the peripheralgroove of the same which alternately strikes against rollers 48 mountedin the extremities of push rods 49 and 50 in order to vibrate the rods49 and 50 upon the rotation of the steering post of the vehicle. Thepush rods 49 and 50 extend backwardly from the steering post 51 and arepivotally engaged with levers 52 and 53 which extend inwardly from thepush rods 49 and 50 and are pivotally mounted upon the reach rods 39 and40. The inner extremity of the lever 33 is pivotally connected upon thereach rod 40 while the lever 53 is fulcrumed upon a forwardly projectedarm carried upon the transverse beam 14 in order to impart a vibratorymovement to the inner extremity of the lever 53 upon the extension ofthe push rod 49; the opposite lever 52 is pivoted intermediately uponthe reach rod 39 while its inner extremity is fulcrumed upon the secondforwardly extended arm 55 carried upon the transverse beam 14 in orderto impart an opposite vibratory movement to the reach rod 39 uponmovement of the push-rod 50. For the purpose of releasing the push rods49 and 50 from the pulley 46, which is mounted upon the steering post51, a link 56 is employed which is connected at its inner end to theintermediate portions of the push rods 49 and 50 and admits of thelongitudinal vibration of the rods independently of the link 56. Thelink 56 is extended outwardly from the push rods 49 and 50 toward theside beam 10 where it is pivotally connected to a hand lever 57. Thelever 57 is pivotally engaged at its forward end upon the frame of thevehicle and lies in a horizontal position. The frame of the vehicle alsocarries a segment 58 which receives the rear end of the lever 57 andholds the same in adjusted position through the frictional contactbetween the lever 57 and the segment 58.

The jack-shafts 22 and 23 are provided with propeller shafts 59 and 60which are connected thereto through the medium of universal joints 61and which are connected to stub shafts and 63 through the medium of theuniversal joints connected to the rear extremities of the propellershafts 59 and 60. At the rear of the frame of the vehicle a housing 65is disposed which terminates at its outer extremity in sleeves 66 and 67through which are journaled the rear axles (38 and 69 supporting upontheir outer extremities the drive wheels 70 anl 71 of the vehicle. Thestub-shafts G2 and 63 are journaled transversely through the housing 65adjacent the inner ends of the rear axles 68 and 69 and are providedwith spaced beveled pinions and 81, which alternately engage withbeveled gears 82 and 83 carried upon the inner extremities of the rearaxles 68 and 69. The pinions 80 and 81 are carried upon the sleeves 8%and 85 which are loosely mounted upon the stub shafts 62 and 63 and areactuated through the medium of bellcrank levers 86 and 87 centrallydisposed within the housing 65 and having their long arms extendedforwardly through the housing The short arms'of the bell-crank levers 86and 87 are forked to engage about the sleeves 8 1 and S5 with which theyare pivotally engaged in order to impart a sliding motion to the same. Aconnecting rod 88 is pivotally secured to the outer ends of thebell-crank levers 86 and 87, the outer end of the connecting rod 88being pivotally engaged to one arm of a bell-crank lever 89 upon thelongitudinal beam 1.0 and provided with a connecting rod 90 which issecured to a foot pedal 91 at the forward end of the vehicle adjacentthe operators seat.

For the purpose of automatically braking the drums 20 and 21 whenreleased from the power or central drum 19, brake shoes 92 are employedwhich are located in the opposite ends of the transmission casing 18,and are projected inwardly to such an extent and are of such a breadththat the drums 20 and 21 are brought into engagement ther with upon aslight outward movement of the same from the power drum 19 irrespectiveof their longitudinal adjustment within the casing 18. This latterconstruction is disclosed in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

In Fig. 8 a modification is disclosed in which the power shaft 93 whichis extended from the motor 16 is provided with a drum 94. of the sameformation as the drum 19, while the drums 95 and 90 are of similarformation to the drums 20 and 21, with the exception that instead of theemployment of the sliding journals 33 to release the drums 95 and 96from engagement with the power drum 91 a clutch mechanism is employedfor permitting of the excess rotation of the drums 95 and 96 about thejack-shafts 97 and 98 alternately in accordance with the turning of thevehicle. The jack-shafts 97 and 98 are each provided with rigid collarshaving oppositely extended lugs 100 to which are pivotally secured theclutch arms 101 upon the outer ends of which the shoes 102 are disposed.The shoes 102 are engaged against the inner surface of a drum 103 whichis employed upon each of the drums 95 and 96, the shoes beingfrictionally held against the drum 103 through the medium of springs10st which are carried upon the collars 99 and engaged against the arms101. The arms 101 extend tangentially from the collar 99 and thereby areso positioned as to cause a binding action of the shoe 102 under thepressure of the adjacent spring 104. This modified form of thecompensating means for permitting of the accelerated speed of onejack-shaftover the other when the vehicle is turning is employed in lieuof the mechanism for supporting the jack-shafts as above described orusing the well-known balance or diiferential mechanism.

\Vhen it is desired to start the motor vehicle the operator grasps thehand lever 30 and swings the same opposite the desired tooth in thesegment 32, when he releases the pawl 31 and locks the lever in suchposition. This operation swings the arms 29 and moves the slide rods 26to carry the drums 20 and 21 into the desired posit-ion for registeringthe disks upon the drums 20 and 21 to obtain the first or slow speed ofthe machine. As will be seen from F 4: this is effected by bringing thedisks 0 into the same plane whereby the small disk upon the drum 19 isregistered with the largest disk 0 upon the drums 20 and 21. Having thusset the drums the operator throws the foot lever 45 forward in order todraw the reach rods 39 and 40 forwardly and to slide the journals 33inwardly by reason of the links 37 connected to the T-heads 34 of thejournal bearings 33 and to the bell-crank levers 38. This movement carries the drums 20 and 21 into engagement with the drum 19 whereby themotion of the motor 16 is transmitted to the jackshafts 22 and 23. Fromthe jack-shafts 22 and 23 the power is transmitted through the propellershafts 59 and 60 to the stub shafts 62 and 63 whereby the pinions 80 and81 are show a specific arrangement of the transrotated and caused torevolve with the rear axles 68 and 69. As each successive speed isemployed the foot pedal 45 is preferably released in order to separatethe drums 20 and 21 from the drum 19 before the lever 30 is adjusted.This separating of the drums, however, is not necessary as it will bereadily seen that the disks 20 and 21 are so formed that they will notinterfere with one another upon the sliding of the same to effect thevarious speed ratios. Then the vehicle is rounding a corner the operatorrotates the steering post 51 in the desired direction whereby the pulley46 is rotated and carries therewith the cam 47. hen the vehicle is to beturned, for instance to the left, the steering post 51 is rotated to theleft and caused to move the cam 47 in such direction. The cam, when thusmoved, strikes the roller 48 and throws the push rod 49 forwardlywhereby the lever 53 is drawn forwardly at its outer end and swingsabout the arm 5st to force the slide rod 40 backwardly. against thetension of the spring 42 connected to the rod tO whereby the bell cranklevers 37 connected to the rod 40 are thrown backwardly and move thejournal bearings 33 outwardly upon the transverse beams let and 15 toseparate the drum 20 from the drum l9 permitting the drum 20 to race andto allow the wheel 70 to revolve rapidly while rounding the corner. Inthis instance, the power is transmitted through the drum 21 to the innerwheel 71. \Vhen the vehicle is oppositely turned the reverse actiontakes place whereby the power is transmitted to the wheel 70 while thewheel 71 is permitted to race.

Then it is desired to cut off the power from the car, the foot pedal 45is released and is drawn backwardly to the limit of its movement by thesprings 15*, when the drums 20 and 21 are engaged against the brakeshoes 92 to thereby retard the movement of the wheels 70 and 71 anddrums 20 and 21 connected thereto. The braking is thus regulated by thebackward position of the pedal 45 which forces the drums 20 and 21 intoengagement with the shoes 92.

Vhen it is desired to reverse the motion of the vehicle the operatorthrows the footpedal 91 backwardly when the bell-crank lever 89 swingsthe link 88 inwardly to rotate the bell-crank levers 86 and 87 inwardlyof the frame, and the sleeves 8% and are oppositely moved in order tobring the beveled pinions 80 and 81 into contact with the beveled gears82 and 83, whereby the rear axles 6S and 69 are caused to rotatebackwardly.

Any conventional form of steering mechanism may be employed which admitsof the employment of a steering post.

Although the drawings annexed hereto mission mechanism with respect tothe motor and reversing mechanism, it will be understood that variousarrangements may be employed in view of this invention without departingfrom the spirit of the same, as it may be desired to locate the motorupon the frame otherwise than is herein disclosed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is;

1. A transmission mechanism including a power shaft, a plurality ofdisks rigidly carried upon said power shaft and varying in diameter, apair of jack shafts disposed upon the opposite sides of said powershaft, pluralities of disks mounted upon said jack shafts and varying indiameter for engaging with said disks on said power shaft, slide rodsconnected to said disks on said jack shafts for sliding the same, andreach rods connected to said jack shafts for vibrating the same withrespect to said power shaft.

2. In combination, a casing, a power shaft centrally located in saidcasing, jack shafts loosely mounted in the opposite ends of said casing,guide ways located upon the opposite sides of said casing, bearingsslidably positioned on the said guide ways, levers connected to saidbearings to reciprocate the same in pairs, said bearings being providedfor the reception of the opposite ends of said jack shafts, and drumsmounted on said power shaft and said ack shafts for engagement with oneanother to transmit motion between said shafts.

3. In combination a casing, a power shaft centrally located in saidcasing, jack shafts slidably disposed through said casing upon theopposite sides of said power shaft, pluralities of disks mounted on saidshaft-s for cooperative engagement with one another and brake shoesformed in the inner ends of said casing for engagement with the disks onsaid jack shafts upon the outward movement of the same.

4. In a transmission mechanism, the combinationwith a power shaft, andjack shafts, of drums carried by said shafts for engagement with oneanother, springs connected to said jack shafts for normally holding saiddrums out of engagement with one another, levers connected to said drumson said jack shafts to slide the same longitudinally with respect to thedrum on said power shaft, and rods connected to said jack shafts formoving the same outwardly from said power shaft.

5. A transmission mechanism including a power shaft, a drum carried onthe shaft, spaced jack shafts arranged at the opposite sides of saidpower shaft, drums keyed to said jack shafts for longitudinal movement,rods connected to said jack shafts for moving the same inwardly tocontact the drums with one another, and levers connected to said jackshafts for independently releasing the drums thereon from the drum onsaid power shaft.

6. In a motor vehicle a longitudinal power shaft, a frame on the powershaft, jack shafts spaced on the opposite sides of said power shaft,drums carried by the jack shafts to engage said drum on said powershaft, bearings at the ends of said jack shafts for supporting the same,depending T-heads carried by the bearings, transverse guides for saidbearings, links connected to said heads for moving the same, bell. cranklevers pivoted to said links, and rods hinged upon the long arms of saidbell crank levers for moving said jack shafts toward and from said powershaft.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witi'iesses.

JOSEPH O. MICHAUD. [1 s] lVitnesses HENRY V. NADEAU, IRENEE CYR.

